Conversations – A Better Idea

A better idea – Is there really anything called a better idea?

It was a Friday evening, and I was really happy about the week in general and the day in particular.  The meeting which I had just concluded ended well.  After a lot of brainstorming, thoughts and ideas in abundance had come out.

And here I was, summarizing the meeting and putting them into words.  I really like working in the evenings when everyone has left for the day – a nice, calm time when I am not disturbed by those Skype calls or chats.

I thought I was alone until I saw Raj.  He was just sitting there in his seat.  He wasn’t doing anything actually, he was just there.  The always cheerful and talkative Raj was just lost in his thoughts.  I, for one, have never seen him like that.  I could sense that he wanted to say something, but just couldn’t.

I consider myself as open and approachable, there is no way Raj could be feeling that way.  I was also under the impression that I know every member in my team inside out, or at least until that day.

Raj proved that I was wrong on both these thoughts.

“Hey Raj, not going home?  It’s Friday, and I remember you telling me that you are going to a movie today.”

“Yes Vijay, I did.”

“What happened?  You seem to be wanting to say something.”

“Yes Vijay, I do.”

“Come on, Raj.  Why you giving me one-word answers.  It’s so unlike you.”

“Can I tell you something, Vijay?  I wanted to tell that during the meeting, but just couldn’t.”

“Raj, you very well know you could tell or ask me anything.  Spill it out.”

“You remember during the meeting you were asking us suggestions and all of us were giving our little ideas?”

“Yes, Raj.  I do.  Even you had chipped in with an idea or two.”

“Yes, and I my idea was not considered.”

“Yes, because we got a better idea.”

“Well, Vijay, is there really anything called a better idea?”

I could hear a pin drop – Is there really anything called a better idea?

“Vijay, I am completely okay with my idea not being considered.  But calling another idea a better idea really put me down.  I felt I was not being considered.”

How true!  Is there really anything called a better idea?  Call it as another idea or an alternate idea.  Raj’s idea may not be considered now, but it can be an idea for a different day and a different situation.  All ideas are ideas, some work today and some work tomorrow.

It also taught me something important – Brainstorming and conducting meetings is an evolving process, you can be a popular leader and still commit mistakes.

There are always lessons to be learnt.  There are always teachers out there, and today, it was Raj.

Image Credits: Pixabay